Even though Sun Zhang chose to avoid him, Li Fan was not one to give up so easily. From the day he couldn't help but comfort Su Changyu, it was clear that this person was not inherently malicious. His previous cold demeanor was likely due to a desire to avoid too much entanglement with the mortals of the Immortal-Forsaken Land.
Compared to strangers, Li Fan preferred dealing with those he knew a little about. Thus, Li Fan returned once more to the front of Treasure Pavillion.
"You brat, why are you back again? Are you looking for trouble?" The burly man at the door glared at Li Fan, speaking harshly.
Li Fan smiled slightly, "I'm here to do business with your Treasure Pavillion. You won't even talk before driving people away. Is this how Treasure Pavillion treats its guests?"
Li Fan deliberately raised his voice, attracting the attention of the surrounding people.
"You..." The man was instantly furious and was about to strike, but was held back by someone beside him.
After consulting with someone inside, the man reluctantly led Li Fan in.
Seated in a guest room, a maid served a cup of tea. Li Fan leisurely took a sip, feeling a warm current spreading from his stomach throughout his body. In just a moment, he felt as if he had basked in the winter sun for half an hour, his whole body warm and even a bit hot.
"Good tea!" Li Fan couldn't help but praise.
"Dayu Fire Dragon Tea, grown around the underwater volcanic vents near Dayu Island, with only a dozen or so plants. Now, with Dayu Island destroyed, this tea has temporarily become a rarity," said Sun Zhang, who entered with a smile.
"Then I must thank Elder Sun for this treat." Li Fan unceremoniously finished the remaining tea.
After Li Fan set down the teacup, Sun Zhang squinted his eyes and slowly asked, "The matter of Dali is over, and there should be no further entanglements between us. Why have you sought me out now?"
Sun Zhang's tone was unfriendly, and his eyes harbored a hidden killing intent, as if he would strike if Li Fan's answer displeased him.
Li Fan paid no mind to Sun Zhang's accusatory tone and replied with a smile, "Elder Sun misunderstands. I am indeed here to discuss a business deal."
"A business deal? With you?" Sun Zhang was initially taken aback, then sneered as he scrutinized Li Fan.
Li Fan's expression remained unchanged, smiling silently.
Seeing this, Sun Zhang gradually became serious, "What kind of business?"
"I wonder if Treasure Pavillion is interested in a quota for the seafaring fleet," Li Fan said slowly.
"Every voyage of the fleet, not to mention the occasional treasures salvaged, the Glass Fish and other marine specialties alone are enough to earn a fortune. It's impossible for Treasure Pavillion not to be interested."
"But the fleet quotas are tightly controlled by Treasurer Qian. Even Steward Zhao finds it extremely difficult to secure an additional one. As a newcomer, what makes you think you can target it?" Sun Zhang stared intently at Li Fan, as if trying to discern something from his face.
"If I meet Steward Zhao, I have my ways to persuade him," Li Fan said confidently.
Seeing Li Fan's assured demeanor, Sun Zhang was momentarily uncertain.
"Let him meet Steward Zhao then; it's no big deal. If it doesn't work out, we can just chop him up and feed him to the fish," a somewhat lazy voice came from outside the room.
Li Fan's eyes narrowed as he saw a woman in a light yellow robe, wearing a veil, walk in.
The woman's voice sounded like she was only seventeen or eighteen, but her curvaceous figure exuded a mature allure.
"Greetings, Manager," Sun Zhang immediately stood up and respectfully greeted the yellow-robed woman.
"Then I must thank the manager in advance," Li Fan said calmly, cupping his hands.
"You seem quite confident, not like someone who boasts," the yellow-robed woman said, tilting her head curiously as she looked at Li Fan.
"I have always been a man of my word," Li Fan replied frankly.
The yellow-robed woman chuckled softly.
"If it really works out, Treasure Pavillion will take its share of the benefits."
"According to the island's rules, each voyage's harvest allows for a thirty percent personal retention. I don't want any of that thirty percent; half will go to Steward Zhao, and the other half to Treasure Pavillion," Li Fan agreed, his words surprising everyone.
The yellow-robed woman was momentarily stunned.
She scrutinized Li Fan again, "That's strange. Given that, what is it you want with all this effort?"
"I only want a spot in the Purification Spirit Pool every three years," Li Fan stated plainly.
"Huh..." The woman was genuinely shocked, looking at Li Fan several times as if to confirm she hadn't misheard.
Li Fan met her gaze, his eyes resolute.
"Hahahaha..." As if hearing an especially amusing joke, the yellow-robed woman burst into laughter.
"Come on, old man, you're already at this age, and you still want to learn to cultivate like others?" After laughing for a while, she managed to stop, barely saying a word before bursting into laughter again.
Sun Zhang looked at Li Fan, also full of disbelief.
Li Fan just quietly watched the yellow-robed woman, saying nothing.
The woman's laughter gradually subsided.
"Ha... ha..."
Finally, she let out a dry laugh, awkwardly returning to normal.
"To seek longevity, even if it means death, I have no regrets," Li Fan said softly.
The yellow-robed woman remained silent for a long time.
"Alright, I'll agree to this," she finally decided. "Once the date is set, I'll send someone to inform you."
"Then it's settled. I reside at house number seven in the sixth row outside the city; you can find me there," Li Fan said, cupping his hands before turning to leave.
The room was left with only the yellow-robed woman and Sun Zhang.
After a long silence, Sun Zhang couldn't help but ask, "Manager, about the Purification Spirit Pool quota..."
"Although the quota for the Purification Spirit Pool is fiercely contested every year on the island, Treasure Pavillion has the strength to compete. Moreover, if he really can secure a seafaring fleet, the profits in about five years could barely offset a quota. It's a sure win," the yellow-robed woman said indifferently.
"But..." She furrowed her pretty brows, looking in the direction Li Fan had left, speaking to herself.
"What?" Sun Zhang couldn't help but ask.
"That man's gaze is quite frightening..." The yellow-robed woman patted her chest, seemingly a bit shaken.
Sun Zhang was taken aback.
...
On his way back, Li Fan stopped by a pharmacy to purchase the Xuanhuang Clear Heart Mantra and the accompanying herbs.
Even if everything went smoothly, it would still be two years before the Purification Spirit Pool opened.
Such a long time couldn't be wasted.
He might as well practice the Xuanhuang Clear Heart Mantra and see its effects. Perhaps, with his extraordinary talent, he could rid himself of the miasma in less than two years.
For the next few days, Li Fan stayed home cultivating, waiting to meet with Steward Zhao.
Unexpectedly, before he could meet Steward Zhao, Li Fan heard some shocking news.
Su Changyu was dead.
(End of Chapter)